NL Notes: Schuerholz, Braves, Astros, Mets, Dodgers

Earlier than the Astros employed Dana Brown as their new basic supervisor, the staff additionally interviewed one in all Brown’s co-workers from the Braves entrance workplace in particular assistant of scouting operations Jonathan Schuerholz, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale experiences.  Schuerholz performed six seasons in Atlanta’s minor league system (from 2002-07) earlier than transferring right into a minor league teacher position for the following seven seasons, after which in entrance workplace since October 2014 in assistant director roles within the participant growth and scouting departments.

Houston’s search concerned candidates with a number of differing ranges of expertise, starting from no less than one former MLB basic supervisor in Bobby Evans to a former supervisor in Brad Ausmus, who has largely labored in on-field roles other than temporary stints as a particular assistant within the entrance workplace with the Angels and Padres.  (Brown was the Braves’ VP of scouting, a task that received’t be crammed since Nightengale writes that the staff particularly tailor-made the job to Brown himself.)  Schuerholz was one of many youthful identified candidates at age 42, although he comes from a noteworthy lineage — Schuerholz’s father John is a Corridor-of-Fame government identified for his success in constructing World Sequence winners in Atlanta and Kansas Metropolis.  The youthful Schuerholz may effectively be a reputation to observe in future years as groups look to fill GM/president of baseball operations vacancies.

Extra from across the Nationwide League…

• With the Mets signing Justin Verlander, Kodai Senga, and Jose Quintana to fill their rotation holes this winter, in-house names like David Peterson and Tylor Megill had been pushed down the depth chart, and won’t even be on New York’s energetic roster to start the season.  “If these guys begin the 12 months in Triple-A, we’ve two guys that most likely need to be within the massive leagues simply from their previous efficiency and their stuff,” Mets pitching coach Jeremy Hefner informed Mike Puma of the New York Post.  That mentioned, Hefner famous the unlikelihood of the Mets’ prime 5 starters getting by way of the season in good well being, so the staff will preserve Peterson and Megill stretched out and “available” to step into the rotation if a necessity arises.  If they’re on the massive league roster, Peterson and Megill may work out of the bullpen within the interim, and Hefner mentioned the Mets haven’t but selected whether or not Joey Lucchesi may even be used as a reliever or is perhaps stretched out within the minors as starter depth.  Lucchesi underwent Tommy John surgical procedure halfway by way of the 2021 season and didn’t pitch in any respect final 12 months as he continued to rehab.
• The Dodgers’ multi-positional gamers give the membership some flexibility, however president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman mentioned in an interview today on MLB Community Radio on SiriusXM that he presently views the common lineup with Max Muncy at third base, Gavin Lux at shortstop, Miguel Vargas at second base and Chris Taylor within the outfield.  Miguel Rojas, acquired through commerce from the Marlins earlier this month, is being considered extra of a utility possibility, providing sound protection in reserve.  Vargas made his MLB debut final season and didn’t truly see any motion at second base over his first 18 massive league video games, plus he performed much more third base than second base within the minors.  Nonetheless, the Dodgers clearly suppose extremely of the highest prospect’s potential, and Vargas’ .304/.404/.511 slash line in 520 plate appearances at Triple-A point out that he’s prepared for an extended look within the Present.